Makar Makes Burns Plea

RICHARD GRAY

SCOTLAND'S greatest living poet has demanded that the Scottish Executive funds
a project to save the birthplace of Robert Burns.

Scots Makar Edwin Morgan, the Scottish equivalent of the Poet Laureate, insists
ministers must ensure the Burns Cottage in Alloway, Ayrshire, and attached
museum, can undergo their promised revamp. His comments come as Patricia Ferguson,
minister for tourism, culture and sport, admitted the problems facing the cottage
were a "threat" to the Executive's plans for the 'Year of Homecoming' in 2009
- the 250th anniversary of Burns' birth.

Scotland on Sunday last week revealed the ambitious £7m project to restore
the cottage and build a state-of-the-art visitor centre had collapsed.

Bids to secure funding for the scheme from Europe and the Lottery Heritage Fund
failed after the board that runs the Burns National Heritage Park, which includes
the cottage, altered its original application.

Officials are trying to find a way of preserving the Bard's thatched cottage
and the exhibits inside the neglected museum. It is believed the Executive is
pushing for a downsized version of the project and has asked the National Trust
for Scotland to look at running the site.

But ministers have stopped short of committing themselves to giving any financial
aid to the park.

Morgan has called on the Executive to support its intention to make the cottage
the centrepiece of its Year of Homecoming by funding the project.

The poet said: "These anniversaries often help to loosen the purse strings.
Cash-strapped councils are already under enough pressure to allocate their
resources, so the responsibility falls on those who have power, like the Executive.

"Of course each case should be looked at on how important it is, to ensure the
money is allocated correctly. Burns is by no means a peripheral figure who
has little significance.

"He is known all over the world. This alone presents a very good case for making
an appeal to ensure the longevity of places which remind us of his contribution."

Plans to build a new home for the exhibits of the Burns Cottage Museum were drawn
up when several invaluable manuscripts were damaged in the rundown building.

Initially the park's board floated a modest £2m project, but just over
a year ago it unveiled a much grander scheme with the help of a £50,000
development grant.

Sources close to the park claim urgent meetings have been taking place behind
the scenes about how the desperately needed upgrade can be carried out.

East Ayrshire council which is also represented on the park's board, has been
heavily criticised for failing to look after its rich heritage from Burns.

The Burns Monument in Kilmarnock was devastated by fire last month after falling
into disrepair.

But a spokeswoman for the council insisted it was committed to preserving the
considerable contribution the poet had made to the area. Burns brings more
than £100m
to the Scottish economy in tourism alone.

Responding to criticism from Adam Ingram, Nationalist MSP for the South of
Scotland, Ferguson insisted discussions to save the park were "moving in the right direction".

She said: "It is not right to say the Executive has been loath to intervene.
The continuing problems with the Burns National Heritage Park are obviously
a threat to the plans for the Year of the Homecoming.

"There are two main issues which need to be addressed. The first is to secure
the long-term future of the park and the second is to preserve the collection
so that they form a central part of the 2009 initiative.

"The National Trust for Scotland may be interested in becoming involved in the
ownership of the park and subsequent new lottery bid for the museum."

Laurie Black, interim director of the Burns National Heritage Park, said: "The
Scottish Executive has given a strong intention that the cottage and museum
be preserved.

"It will be up to the new trustees to decide what size the project will be."

FOOTNOTE: Edwin Morgan, the then Makar died in August 2010. He has been ably succeeded by our new Scot's Makar, Liz Lochhead in January 2011.